Woods takes lead into second round

Tiger Woods had no thoughts of saving his best for the Ryder Cup when he took a one-stroke lead into the second round of the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet today.

Birdies at the final two holes took him one ahead of fellow Americans David Toms - a team-mate next week - and Steve Lowery and two in front of a group which includes England’s Gary Evans, the one player in the 65-man line-up never to have won a professional title.

Best of the seven members of Sam Torrance’s side was Swedish rookie Niclas Fasth with a 68 - and worst was Darren Clarke with a 75 that left him next to last.

The Northern Irishman was on the course early today, and is four over after a bogey on the fourth.

After the shock wins for Kevin Sutherland and Craig Parry in the first two WGC tournaments this season, Woods returned normal service with a bogey-free display in which the only thing that let him down was his driving.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington lies in joint 20th on three under and tees off at 11.35.